Office of the Historian

309. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State0

London, February 12, 1959, 1 p.m.

4196. I had brief opportunity this morning to ask Lloyd his reaction to Greek-Turkish Cyprus agreement. He said development most [Page 768] welcome and that he felt solution of problem is “in the bag” unless “the rats get at it.” To prevent latter he felt quick action essential. [2 lines of source text not declassified] Believe he also had in mind possible reaction of his own right-wing back-benchers.

Later Gaitskell, who was also present, expressed his gratification. Lloyd said details of agreement will be made available to us earliest.

Whitney
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 747C.00/2–1259. Secret. Repeated to Athens, Ankara, Nicosia, and Paris for USRO.↩